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Doors
A cautious New York burglar risks his neck for the score of a lifetime in this rollicking thriller by the bestselling author of the 87th Precinct series.
Alex Hardy is the finest thief in New York City. A crib burglar, he robs apartments—never hotels, never offices, never liquor stores, never jewelers. Strictly apartments, and strictly during the day. He’s paranoid, ready to cut and run as soon as a job turns sour—he’s already been to prison once, and he doesn’t plan on getting caught again—but he’s about to get the offer of a lifetime, the big make he’s always been looking for. How can he say no? This could set him up for life—but it could also send him back to Sing Sing for good.
The stake revolves around Daisy, a one-legged hooker who spends Thursday afternoons at the home of a Westchester millionaire. It would be simple if Alex wasn’t increasingly distracted by Jessica, his square neighbor who has no idea he’s a burglar and seems to like him. Between these two very different women lies the biggest opportunity of Alex’s life. Will he get his hands on it before the alarms start to sound?
A heist story in the tradition of Lawrence Block or Donald E. Westlake, Doors is a brilliantly detailed story of how to steal—and why—from legendary Mystery Writers of America Grand Master Ed McBain.
Alex Hardy is the finest thief in New York City. A crib burglar, he robs apartments—never hotels, never offices, never liquor stores, never jewelers. Strictly apartments, and strictly during the day. He’s paranoid, ready to cut and run as soon as a job turns sour—he’s already been to prison once, and he doesn’t plan on getting caught again—but he’s about to get the offer of a lifetime, the big make he’s always been looking for. How can he say no? This could set him up for life—but it could also send him back to Sing Sing for good.
The stake revolves around Daisy, a one-legged hooker who spends Thursday afternoons at the home of a Westchester millionaire. It would be simple if Alex wasn’t increasingly distracted by Jessica, his square neighbor who has no idea he’s a burglar and seems to like him. Between these two very different women lies the biggest opportunity of Alex’s life. Will he get his hands on it before the alarms start to sound?
A heist story in the tradition of Lawrence Block or Donald E. Westlake, Doors is a brilliantly detailed story of how to steal—and why—from legendary Mystery Writers of America Grand Master Ed McBain.
540 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1975
26 people are currently reading
129 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
January 19, 2024
A fascinating book, one that’s about crime without really being a crime novel. It’s a really convincing examination of one man’s psyche. The protagonist is a shit, but a really interesting one to read about.
February 22, 2018
Ed McBain published his first novel (aside from his Evan Hunter novels, a whole different legacy) in 1952. He published his final 87th Precinct novel in 2005. That's 53 years of work.
What's interesting is watching how McBain matures over the decades. The early books are pulpy crime fiction, well-written, but lacking character development and pretty much plot-driven. The books got richer and more in depth over the years, and the final 20 or so 87th Precinct novels from the 1980's through 2005 entered the realm of fine, memorable literature. That's how good they are.
This one, written in 1975 under the pen name Ezra Hannon, is in the middle of McBain's development. The main character is despicable, as are the other characters. There is really not much of a moral center in this book, although the protagonist, the burglar Alex Hardy, does struggle sometimes with issues of friendship and loyalty. If we think about the 1970's and their narcissism and their "anything goes" morality, the book is a good reflection of that era.
The plot and the action of Doors will keep you engaged. But the denouement is rather quick, almost as if McBain just wanted to get it done and send it off to the publisher.
Nevertheless, if you're a McBain freak , it's a good read.
What's interesting is watching how McBain matures over the decades. The early books are pulpy crime fiction, well-written, but lacking character development and pretty much plot-driven. The books got richer and more in depth over the years, and the final 20 or so 87th Precinct novels from the 1980's through 2005 entered the realm of fine, memorable literature. That's how good they are.
This one, written in 1975 under the pen name Ezra Hannon, is in the middle of McBain's development. The main character is despicable, as are the other characters. There is really not much of a moral center in this book, although the protagonist, the burglar Alex Hardy, does struggle sometimes with issues of friendship and loyalty. If we think about the 1970's and their narcissism and their "anything goes" morality, the book is a good reflection of that era.
The plot and the action of Doors will keep you engaged. But the denouement is rather quick, almost as if McBain just wanted to get it done and send it off to the publisher.
Nevertheless, if you're a McBain freak , it's a good read.
April 26, 2012
A novel called "Doors".Can U predict what the novel would be about.It's an account of a burglar's life over a period of time.It records incidents that affects the softer side of the burglar when he comes in contact with a square(a normal lady).He decides to quit burglary and start living with his girl Jessica but only after completing one of the biggest burglaries of his life.But once he compltes it successfully,his mind takes a drastic 'U' turn and he tries ignoring the poor girl.
The story seems simple,but the syle in which the authour handles the plot is really interesting.The minute details covered regarding all burglaries and the way Alex uses an ordinary telephone to get all the information he needs for his looting, is simply amazing.The language,the people,the accent makes the reader feel himself inthe middle of burglars....
The part played by the whores and the characterization of Alex is what the book is all aboout.The character almost becomes an epitome of a cold hearted thief when thinks frustrated by Jessica,whom he loved and deciding to ignore her inthe climax.This novel is not action packed but it takes into a diferent world that u cant neglect wherever u go...
The story seems simple,but the syle in which the authour handles the plot is really interesting.The minute details covered regarding all burglaries and the way Alex uses an ordinary telephone to get all the information he needs for his looting, is simply amazing.The language,the people,the accent makes the reader feel himself inthe middle of burglars....
The part played by the whores and the characterization of Alex is what the book is all aboout.The character almost becomes an epitome of a cold hearted thief when thinks frustrated by Jessica,whom he loved and deciding to ignore her inthe climax.This novel is not action packed but it takes into a diferent world that u cant neglect wherever u go...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 18, 2024
O carte scrisa din perspectiva unui spargator, a unui excroc.
N am mai citit pana acum asa ceva, dar mi-a placut. ;) mai vreau!
4⭐️
N am mai citit pana acum asa ceva, dar mi-a placut. ;) mai vreau!
4⭐️
June 9, 2020
An Ed McBain crime story that doesn't feature the nice-guy detectives of the 87th Precinct. You won't miss them. I thought this was a terrific character piece. If you need a fast-paced, twisty Hollywood plot, you may need to look elsewhere. What this book gives us is a very accurate portrait of a career criminal, both in his personality and his tradecraft. I've done enough research of my own on criminals to assure you that McBain did his homework. "Doors" should be required reading for anyone who ever wants to write about a burglar.
April 30, 2022
Reminded me a lot of Elmore Leonard. The main character is unlikeable but I still wanted him to get away with it.
October 20, 2022
I liked this a lot. Long on character, shorter on plot, but a nice study. Definitely a crime novel but full of the psychology, and a bit of the technique.
June 17, 2023
Eh. For McBain this was a rare misfire. Enjoyable enough, good characters, good setting, but the arc was lacking and he didn't stick the landing.
February 5, 2024
This was great fun. Excellent character study of the main protagonist. By the end of the story you know him intimately.
December 28, 2021
Se aflau în camera din spate a magazinului de bijuterii pe care Henry îl ţinea în Bronx, aşezaţi la o masă.
Într-o parte era o uşă dublă Moseer, mare şi neagră, iar ferestrele aveau bare pe dinafară. La intrare, peste ambele vitrine din sticlă armată fuseseră trase grilajele metalice de noapte. Alex le observase la venire.
Acum îl urmărea cu privirea pe Henry, care se ridicase şi păşea greoi către un dulăpior din perete, amplasat vizavi de seif. Luă de acolo două pahare şi o sticlă de whisky pe care le aduse la masă. Henry era un bărbat teribil de gras, care purta un costum negru şi o cămaşă albă, desfăcută la gât, fără cravată. Se zvonea despre el că pe vremuri stătuse într-un lagăr de concentrare nazist, dar lui Alex nu-i prea venea să creadă că un om atât de gras putuse să treacă printr-o asemenea încercare. Vorbea totuşi cu un pronunţat accent german, deci nu era exclus să fie adevărat. Henry aşeză paharele pe masă şi turnă în amândouă, cu generozitate.
― Ai fost vreodată arestat? întrebă.
― De două ori, îi răspunse Alex. Aveam optsprezece ani. Am scăpat cu o sentinţă cu suspendare. Apoi, acum trei ani. Am făcut un an şi jumătate la Sing Sing.
― Ţţ, mare păcat! zise Henry, clătinând din cap şi luându-şi paharul în mână.
Purta ochelari groşi, fără rame. Ochii săi căprui şi limpezi se vedeau măriţi în spatele lentilelor.
― Am învăţat multe acolo, continuă Alex.
― Te rog să bei, îl îndemnă Henry şi ridică paharul. Sorbi din whisky, apoi se interesă: Acum lucrezi cu altcineva?
― În general prefer s-o fac singur.
― Nu mă refer la treabă, insistă Henry, ci la prelucrarea mărfii.
― Am doi tipi care stau pe tuşă, răspunse Alex.
― Îţi vând şi ponturi?
― Unul da. Celălalt e numai cu prelucrarea.
― Am auzit lucruri frumoase despre tine, spuse Henry. Eşti bun. Te pricepi să dai spargeri.
― Mulţumesc. Ce treabă ziceai că te interesează?
― Păi, să mai stăm un pic de vorbă, nu? Sau te grăbeşti?
― Nici gând, îl asigură Alex.
― Cât de bine te ştie poliţia?
― Mă mai vizitează din când în când. Cum se dă vreo spargere căreia nu-i dau de capăt, una-două mi-o aruncă mie în cârcă. Puţin îmi pasă, n-au decât să mă caute cât poftesc! Am avocat şi mai prezint şi un garant barosan, unul care merge până la douăzeci de miare, dacă-i nevoie. Dar până acum n-am pus decât de trei ori piciorul într-o secţie de poliţie, de când am ieşit de la Sing Sing.
Într-o parte era o uşă dublă Moseer, mare şi neagră, iar ferestrele aveau bare pe dinafară. La intrare, peste ambele vitrine din sticlă armată fuseseră trase grilajele metalice de noapte. Alex le observase la venire.
Acum îl urmărea cu privirea pe Henry, care se ridicase şi păşea greoi către un dulăpior din perete, amplasat vizavi de seif. Luă de acolo două pahare şi o sticlă de whisky pe care le aduse la masă. Henry era un bărbat teribil de gras, care purta un costum negru şi o cămaşă albă, desfăcută la gât, fără cravată. Se zvonea despre el că pe vremuri stătuse într-un lagăr de concentrare nazist, dar lui Alex nu-i prea venea să creadă că un om atât de gras putuse să treacă printr-o asemenea încercare. Vorbea totuşi cu un pronunţat accent german, deci nu era exclus să fie adevărat. Henry aşeză paharele pe masă şi turnă în amândouă, cu generozitate.
― Ai fost vreodată arestat? întrebă.
― De două ori, îi răspunse Alex. Aveam optsprezece ani. Am scăpat cu o sentinţă cu suspendare. Apoi, acum trei ani. Am făcut un an şi jumătate la Sing Sing.
― Ţţ, mare păcat! zise Henry, clătinând din cap şi luându-şi paharul în mână.
Purta ochelari groşi, fără rame. Ochii săi căprui şi limpezi se vedeau măriţi în spatele lentilelor.
― Am învăţat multe acolo, continuă Alex.
― Te rog să bei, îl îndemnă Henry şi ridică paharul. Sorbi din whisky, apoi se interesă: Acum lucrezi cu altcineva?
― În general prefer s-o fac singur.
― Nu mă refer la treabă, insistă Henry, ci la prelucrarea mărfii.
― Am doi tipi care stau pe tuşă, răspunse Alex.
― Îţi vând şi ponturi?
― Unul da. Celălalt e numai cu prelucrarea.
― Am auzit lucruri frumoase despre tine, spuse Henry. Eşti bun. Te pricepi să dai spargeri.
― Mulţumesc. Ce treabă ziceai că te interesează?
― Păi, să mai stăm un pic de vorbă, nu? Sau te grăbeşti?
― Nici gând, îl asigură Alex.
― Cât de bine te ştie poliţia?
― Mă mai vizitează din când în când. Cum se dă vreo spargere căreia nu-i dau de capăt, una-două mi-o aruncă mie în cârcă. Puţin îmi pasă, n-au decât să mă caute cât poftesc! Am avocat şi mai prezint şi un garant barosan, unul care merge până la douăzeci de miare, dacă-i nevoie. Dar până acum n-am pus decât de trei ori piciorul într-o secţie de poliţie, de când am ieşit de la Sing Sing.
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May 1, 2009Fiction
August 25, 2016
Another rating: 6/10
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